FINAL approval has been given to demolish buildings at Keswick to develop the area for housing.

The development is to go ahead at Keswick Garden Centre, Underskiddaw, known as the Little Dodd garden centre, and will enable the build of 11 new dwellings and conversion of a holiday let, giving 12 buildings in total.

The decision by the head of development management at Lake District National Park on Monday is subject to conditions in the Section 106 agreement.

Last September members of the National Park Authority’s development control committee agreed that the plans should be given approval, despite objections from residents, Underskiddaw parish council and the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE-Cumbria Association).

The chairman of Underskiddaw parish council said he reiterated the views of the council that the build seems an excessive development in a rural location. 

He said there were safety concerns as the road has a 60mph speed limit and bus stops are a considerable distance away.

The parish council chairman added: “The council feels that the Lake District National Park does not listen to the views of the parish council in making their decisions.”

Other reasons cited by the parish in objecting to the build included losing the current employment site, the A591 being the only access to the site and a dangerous and fast road with no pedestrian or direct public transport provision, and that the existing current bungalow that is included in the application, has conditions that it would not be used for residential purposes.

The existing buildings at Little Dodd will be demolished, including the tea rooms, to make way for the development. 

A holiday let at the site will also be converted. 

There will be 12 units altogether, six affordable and six local occupancy, with associated landscaping and car parking.

The development will comprise of six two-bedroom semi-detached houses, which will be sited at the front of the build, three three-bedroom houses and two four-bedroom homes.

Details can be found at the Lake District National Park portal.